Live reading
NOT FUNNY: a night of serious prose (in LA)
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Café 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSwan Huntley and Gina Young host NOT FUNNY: a night of serious prose. Let's get literary with a very serious lineup of talent bringing you new work that is not funny at all. This month's theme: FAILURE. Featuring: NAZ RIAHI (she/her) is an Iranian writer, filmmaker and performer. Vibrations, her debut collection of short stories will be published in May by Dopamine Books. ALI LIEBEGOTT is a writer and painter who is the author of four books including The Summer of Dead […]
Maria Bamford & Scott Marvel Cassidy sign copies of Hogbook and Lazer Eyes (near LA)
Vroman’s 695 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, United StatesFans of Maria Bamford’s acclaimed quasi-autobiographical Lady Dynamite! Netflix series already know of her romance with LA painter Scott Marvel Cassidy, as well as her droll pug sidekicks Blueberry and Bert.Now the story has been recounted in the graphic novella Hogbook and Lazer Eyes, written by Bamford/Cassidy, drawn by Cassidy, and all told by the rescue dogs they’ve adopted. For those unfamiliar with the story, newly single fortysomethings Maria Bamford and Scott Cassidy each signed up on the dating site O.K. Cupid, under […]
Desiree Akhavan presents You’re Embarrassing Yourself (in NYC)
P&T Knitwear Books & Podcasts 180 Orchard Street, New York, NY, United StatesP&T Knitwear is pleased to welcome Desiree Akhavan to celebrate the release of her debut book, You're Embarrassing Yourself: a collection of seventeen essays that chart an artist’s journey from outcast to overnight indie darling, to (somewhat) self-aware adult woman, capturing the pathetic lows and euphoric highs of our youth—and how to survive them. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Desiree will be signing copies of You're Embarrassing Yourself. Starts 6PM ET
Anna Marie Tendler presents MEN HAVE CALLED HER CRAZY (in LA)
Dynasty Typewriter at Hayworth Theater 2511 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAnna Marie Tendler is an artist and writer. She holds a master’s degree in costume studies from New York University. She lives in Connecticut with her three cats, Chimney, Moon, and Butter. Chani Nicholas is a Los Angeles–based New York Times best-selling author and astrologer with a community of over one million monthly readers. She has been a counseling astrologer for more than 20 years, guiding people to discover and live out their life’s purpose through understanding their birth chart. She has been featured […]
Let’s Table It – Rejected Sketches Table Reads (in NYC)
Caveat 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY, United StatesNYC's funniest people dust off sketch scripts that never quite made it anywhere... except to this stage, for one night only! Comedians, playwrights, and late-night writers bring their favorite red-headed stepchildren to Caveat to be read by their friends and colleagues! Lineup: Jenny Hagel (Seth Meyers) Sharon Spell (The Moth) Chloe Radcliffe (Fallon) Kenice Mobley (Tonight Show) Johanna Gorman (McSweeney’s, New Yorker) Jean Grae (galactic) Hilary Campbell (New Yorker) Felipe Torres Medina (Colbert) Taylor Kay Phillips (Last Week Tonight) Tracy […]
WITCHES OF HIGHWAY 30 LIVE TABLE READ (in LA)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesJoin us for a live reading of the pilot of an animated series staring Andrew Dismukes, written by Aly Dixon, Elizabeth Schantz, and Jess Uhler! Witches of Highway 30 After inheriting an empty lot from his late father, Andrew decides to turn it into his legacy: a parking lot. Little does he know, he is disturbing the forest shared by three unruly witches and one strange little boy. Featuring: Andrew Dismukes, Maria Bamford, Eve Lindley, Missi Pyle, Brendan Scannell, Oscar […]
Hot Reads (in LA)
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Café 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSome of LA's best comedians send us their weirdest sketches. We print off paper scripts and highlight roles. And those same comedians grab scripts at random and perform them for you live. No rehearsals. No prior casting. Just HOT READS. There's also an optional drinking game! Grab a beverage at the Lyric Hyperion bar and join the cast as we drink whenever certain buzz words are said during the sketches! Originated in Chicago, Hot Reads is an experimental sketch comedy […]
Live Talks: Kate McKinnon with Awkwafina (near LA)
New Roads School 3131 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, United StatesKate McKinnon with Awkwafina discussing her debut novel, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science Starts 4PM PT
AP LIT: A NIGHT OF READINGS (in LA)
Dynasty Typewriter at Hayworth Theater 2511 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesCredits will transfer to a college of your choice. With Pat Regan, Chase Bernstein, Carey O'Donnell, and Chloe Caldwell Starts 7:30PM PT
Live Talks LA: Randy Rainbow with Pamela Adlon (in LA)
Robert Frost Auditorium 4401 Elenda Street, Culver City, CA, United StatesRandy Rainbow with Pamela Adlon discussing his book, Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda Starts 4PM PT
F*ck Hut Music School For Teens – SELAH Fundraiser (in LA)
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Café 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesA staged reading of Mitra Jouhari's play "F*ck Hut Music School For Teens". All proceeds to benefit SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition. selahnhc.org Starts 7:30PM PT
Book Talk! Allison Raskin’s I DO (I THINK) (in LA)
Chevalier’s Books 126 North Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesJoin us for an evening with author Allison Raskin as she delves into the complexities and uncertainties of modern marriage. Starts 6PM PT
F*ck Hut Music School For Teens – SELAH Fundraiser (in LA)
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Café 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesA staged reading of Mitra Jouhari's play "F*ck Hut Music School For Teens". All proceeds to benefit SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition. selahnhc.org Starts 7:30PM PT
Book Release: Scary Stories to Make You Scared of Stories (in LA)
The Glendale Room 127 Artsakh Avenue, Glendale, CA, United StatesJoin the Boo Boys (Nate Fernald and Zach Broussard) for a Book Release Event™ full of terrifying, yet sophisticated literary toilet humor. Starts 8PM PT
Eddie Pepitone Presents Prosaic: Standup & Live Table Read (in LA)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesA standup show that will feature Eddie Pepitone and a few cast members from the table read. The table read will be for Prosaic, an original pilot created by Eddie Pepitone, Steven Feinartz and Billy Domineau (SNL, Family Guy). Written by Billy Domineau. Featuring Dan Stevens, Fred Melamed, Frankie Quinones, Kirk Fox and Blair Socci Starts 9:30PM PT
An Evening with David Sedaris (near LA)
The United Theater on Broadway 929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAn evening with celebrated humorist and author David Sedaris Starts 7:30PM PT
Hairy Butthole Live! (in LA)
Dynasty Typewriter at Hayworth Theater 2511 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesHairy Butthole is a show hosted by comedian Youngmi Mayer based on the Korean saying “If you laugh while crying hair grows out of your butthole!” An interactive audience-participation show, you’re sure to laugh and cry(and have hair grow out of your butthole)! Starts 7:30PM PT
The Cinnamoji Movie: A Reading (in NYC)
Caveat 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY, United StatesHave you ever enjoyed a delicious bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and wondered, "Why hasn't Hollywood made a movie about this?" Hosts Joe Gustaferro and Ella Attell are on a mission to change that. The Cinnamoji Movie is a coming-of-age comedy about an anthropomorphic piece of Cinnamon Toast Crunch named Cora, and it just so happens to be in development hell. Brilliant comedians and actors will perform a hilarious live reading of their screenplay about an iconic consumer packaged good. […]
PLANES, TRAINS, and ?: A Musical and Improvisational Parody (in LA)
UCB Franklin 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesPlanes, Trains, and ? is a musical and improvisational parody of the John Hughes classic holiday travel nightmare film adapted for the stage with a cast of three. One actor plays the Steve Martin role, one actor plays the John Candy role, and one actor plays everyone else. Featuring: Ithamar Enriquez (Wandavision, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Miracle Workers, The Second City) as Neal Page, Frank Caeti (MADtv, Jimmy Kimmel Live, UCB, The Second City) as Del Griffith, and Jaime Moyer (Bob’s Burgers, Night Court, Modern Family, The […]
FINAL RESTING PLACE Staged Reading: Benefit for PEACE OVER VIOLENCE (in LA)
The Broadwater 6320 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAli MacLean's FINAL RESTING PLACE will be performed at the Broadwater Theater Second Stage on Wednesday, December 4th. The winner of the International Centre for Women Playwrights Amy Oestreicher Award, the play will be read as a benefit for the non-profit Peace Over Violence. Featuring a cast including: Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad, The Unicorn), Dale Dickey (Hell or High Water, Winter’s Bone), Evangeline Edwards (Heroes of the Fourth Turning/Rogue Machine), Jackie Emerson (Chicago Med, Hunger Games), Jackie Harris Greenberg (Yes Man), Juliet […]
They Have A Very Lovely Life (in NYC)
C'mon Everybody 325 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesThis holiday season, we're having flirtinis. Vodka, pineapple, and champagne. Flirtinis... Join a fabulous cast as they reimagine an oft-maligned episode of the HBO series and transform it into a cuckoo A Christmas Carol. Starring Joan Summers, Cherry James, Macy Rodman, Pierce Hughes, and narrated by Harron Walker. Proceeds benefit GLITS. Starts 9:30PM ET
Letters & Sodas: LIC Rooftop Reading Series (in NYC)
The Greats of Craft 43rd Avenue, Queens, NY, United StatesHosted by Lana Schwartz (The New Yorker, The Onion, McSweeney's), Letters & Sodas brings together standup comedy, humor pieces, fiction, and essay readings in a way they never have been before (or at least not in recent memory). Featuring: Jeremiah Budin (The New Yorker, McSweeney's) Ronuk Johal (The Lunar Times Blog) Elyssa Maxx Goodman (Miss Manhattan, author of Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City) Brittany Miggs (New York Comedy Festival Creator to Watch, Cracked) […]
Neil Hamburger – Full Hour Set (in LA)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAmerica's Funnyman Neil Hamburger brings his traveling road show to Los Angeles for the first time in yonks. Starts 8PM PT
Ira Madison III discusses Pure Innocent Fun: Essays (in LA)
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles 540 South Commonwealth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesIn this nostalgic and raucous collection of sixteen original essays, Ira Madison III—critic, television writer, and host of the beloved Keep It podcast—combines memoir and criticism to offer a brand-new pop-culture manifesto. Starts 3PM PT
Retrospecs (in LA w/Livestream)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesBack in the early days of television (the 1990s), writers hoping to break in would write episodes of existing shows; these "spec" scripts were never meant to be produced, only to serve as samples for the aspiring writer. Spec scripts have gone out of fashion, but, in addition to being a great way to learn the craft, they were a lot of fun! You got to see the stamp individual writers put on your favorite shows. In Retrospecs, we dig […]
Unreliable Narrators | A Reading Series (in LA)
baby battista @ nico's 3111 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesA reading series presented by Maddie Connors, Rachel Kaplan, and Mari Rudí featuring writers from around Los Angeles. The lineup! Jo Firestone Jean Ho Pat Regan Doug Manuel Melissa Broder Rosecrans Baldwin Starts 5:30PM PT
And The Award Goes To… (in LA)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAND THE AWARD GOES TO… is a night of award-winning Oscar acceptance speeches from 20+ of LA’s best comedians—and future Oscar winners, probably! Have you ever wanted an entire night of just funny awards speeches? Or just want to see what wild antics some of LA’s funniest people can come up with… if they make it to the stage in time? Look no further than And The Award Goes To… The bits will be silly, and the speeches funny, but […]
The Inheritance (a play reading) (in LA)
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Café 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAs Richard Newberry's life begins to spiral, he holds on to the hope that his ailing mother will soon leave him her fortune—until, unexpectedly, she gets better. Cast: TBD Starts 6:30PM PT
Some Fun Lines: A Satire and Humor Showcase (in NYC)
Caveat 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY, United StatesSOME FUN LINES is New York’s greatest (and only-est) satire and humor reading mic. Join hosts Johnathan, Chandler, and Maeve for this special showcase of some of the best satire and humor writers on planet earth! HOSTED BY: Johnathan Appel (Last Week Tonight) Chandler Dean (Lovett or Leave It) Maeve Dunigan (The New Yorker) FEATURING: Leah Abrams (The New Yorker) Augusta Chapman (McSweeney's Internet Tendency) Charlie Dektar (The New Yorker) Alex Krokus (The New York Times) Eli Mandel (Saturday Night […]
Dead Pilots Society (in LA)
The Elysian 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesOur March 16 show features the FIRST TWO EPISODES of a show written, created, and starring Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome (Another Period). Cast includes: Brian Huskey (Bob's Burgers) Luke Tennie (Shrinking) Olivia Liang (Kung Fu) Kyla Kenedy (Mr Mayor) Eric Edelstein (We Bare Bears) India deBeaufort (Night Court) John Clarence Stewart (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist) Punam Patel (Ghosts) Will Greenberg (The After Party) Amy Reed (Diary of a Future President) Starts 2PM PT
Jeffery Self + Cole Escola: Self-Sabotage (in NYC)
Strand Book Store 828 Broadway, New York, NY, United StatesJoin us for a launch event with actor and writer Jeffery Self, discussing his new memoir Self-Sabotage: And Other Ways I’ve Spent My Time. Joining Jeffery in conversation is award-winning writer and actor, Cole Escola. This event will be hosted in the Strand Book Store's 3rd floor Rare Book Room at 828 Broadway on 12th Street. Starts 7PM ET
Book Launch. Test Funeral. Jean Grae. (in NYC)
Isola Brooklyn 361 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesA book launch. A test funeral. Yes to both. The dress code is “fabulous” for this evening with Jean Grae, celebrating the launch of her book, In My Remaining Years. Moderated by John Hodgman. Books, signings, reading, conversation, audience Q&A...special guests. Starts 8PM ET
Sloane Crosley, in conversation with Alex Edelman, discusses & signs Grief Is For People (in LA)
Zipper Concert Hall 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesNamed a Best Book of the Year by Vogue, TIME, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Esquire, NPR, Elle, Library Journal, LitHub, Oprah Daily, Publishers Weekly, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bookpage, The Independent, and New Statesman Disarmingly witty and poignant, Sloane Crosley's memoir explores multiple kinds of loss following the death of her closest friend. How do we live without the ones we love? After the pain and confusion of losing her closest friend to suicide, Sloane Crosley looks for […]
Thrilling Adventure Hour 20th Anniversary Tour (in LA)
The Lodge Room 104 North Avenue 56, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSee the beloved stage show and podcast live in their only LA show of 2025! Starring Paul F. Tompkins (Bojack Horseman), Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), Marc Evan Jackson (The Good Place), Busy Philipps (Girls 5Eva), Joshua Malina (The West Wing), Mark Gagliardi (Blood and Treasure), Craig Cackowski (Drunk History), Autumn Reeser (The OC), Annie Savage (Dicktown), Hal Lublin (The Venture Brothers), and Janet Varney (Legend of Korra). The Thrilling Adventure Hour is an institution of the LA comedy scene, having […]
BOOK EVENT – Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (in LA)
NeueHouse 6121 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesAn IRL EVENT with television host, actor, activist, and the season eight winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bob the Drag Queen, as we celebrate the launch of Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, an inventive, wondrous novel about American hero Harriet Tubman that remixes history into a fresh, dynamic novel about love, freedom, salvation, and hip-hop. Moderator TBD. Starts 7PM PT
Thrilling Adventure Hour 20th Anniversary Tour (in LA)
The Lodge Room 104 North Avenue 56, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSee the beloved stage show and podcast live in their only LA show of 2025! Starring Paul F. Tompkins (Bojack Horseman), Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), Marc Evan Jackson (The Good Place), Busy Philipps (Girls 5Eva), Joshua Malina (The West Wing), Mark Gagliardi (Blood and Treasure), Craig Cackowski (Drunk History), Autumn Reeser (The OC), Annie Savage (Dicktown), Hal Lublin (The Venture Brothers), and Janet Varney (Legend of Korra). The Thrilling Adventure Hour is an institution of the LA comedy scene, having […]
Slackjaw: LIVE (in NYC)
Caveat 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY, United StatesFeaturing the internet's funniest stories read LIVE by your favorite writers! Slackjaw is a Medium publication with 148k+ followers that runs daily humor pieces from veteran and up-and-coming writers. Editor Emily Menez hosts this night of laughter and learning. Coming up on this show... Johnathan Appel, Emmy-winning writer for Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, shares his insights on "How to Write Topical Political Satire." With live readings from: Val Parker Alice M. Phillips Jamie Mulligan Nicole Beckley Scarlet Meyer […]
PISTOLS AT 3:45 – A Live Stage Reading (in LA)
UCB Franklin 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesA mockumentary written and directed by Kim Seltzer and Aliya Kamalova. This… is the live reading. When an online feud between two rival councilmen escalates into an in-person gun duel, a small Texas town becomes consumed by the spectacle. Written and directed by Kim Seltzer and Aliya Kamalova Cast: TBA! Starts 8:30PM PT
Next Slide Please (in NYC)
Caveat 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY, United StatesNext Slide Please invites comedians to prepare and present PowerPoints about whatever they want. That could mean a data-driven ranking of the best Manhattan street corners for first date make-outs, pitches for start-up investment opportunities that are probably not scams, or a passionate defense of the 2003 Jessica Alba vehicle "Honey" (21% on Rotten Tomatoes). Hosted by Reed Kavner and featured in The New York Times and Gothamist, Next Slide Please has been called "more entertaining than your last meeting," which we admit is a […]
“NYC Prep” : A Dramatic Reading (in NYC)
Union Hall 702 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesThe year was 2009. "Gossip Girl" ruled our tv screens. In an effort to capitalize on the moment, Bravo released its own demented version of the popular television show–but this time it was a reality show: NYC Prep was born, chronicling the lives of a group of privileged teenagers who were key players in Manhattan’s elite high school scene. It only lasted one season and nine episodes, but its legacy lives on FOREVER! Join some of NYC’s favorite comedians for a one […]